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Social & Emotional Development

Thank you Hank Zipzer

March 28, 2019
Books have played an outsized role in my life. As an introverted only child and the daughter of a bookworm, growing up, children’s books were my refuge and my joy. My favorite teacher to this day was my high school English teacher, Mrs. Betty Lou Blumberg, who introduced me to great fiction with...
Tara Sarathy's picture

How to Deal With the Violent Videos In Your Kid's Social Media Feed

March 15, 2019
Protesters push, shove, and yell obscenities at each other. A young refugee's body washes up on the shore. A bus driver is bullied while students cheer. A man commits suicide. These aren't scenes from a video game. Thanks to live-streaming apps such as Facebook Live , live.ly , Periscope , and...
Caroline Knorr's picture

Jean Fairfax Raised the Bar

March 1, 2019
“Someone had to break the pattern, and very often the civil rights revolution was initiated by the most vulnerable Black persons. Many of them were women and many of them were children—tough, resilient, hopeful, beautiful children. The greatest experience of my life was standing with them as they...
Marian Wright Edelman's picture

We need Child Care for All Families Now!

February 27, 2019
I’m newly back in the office after having my baby and I have one thing on my mind—we HAVE TO solve the childcare crisis in this country. At my neighborhood meetup for new parents not a week goes by that childcare doesn’t come up as a major issue for families. Moms with no choice but to quit jobs...
Nina Perez's picture

Celebrating International Mother Language Day and Bangladeshi American Culture

February 27, 2019
This event that was organized, run by and that featured Bangladeshi American women is a powerful testament to the dynamics of a culture that has woven itself through the fabric of a city so many Bangladeshis call home. Connecting and celebrating our languages and cultures can be a light during dark times for many of our communities and a reminder that no matter what challenges we may face, we are here to stay, thrive and be proud of who we are and where we come from.
Nadia's picture

How Girls Are Using Social Media to Build Up (and Break Down) Their Self-Image

February 25, 2019
It's not a law that you have to post a selfie before, during, and after every activity. But for kids, it's pretty much mandatory. The resulting likes, thumbs-ups, and other ratings all get tallied, both in the stark arithmetic of the Internet and in kids' own minds. For some -- especially girls --...
Caroline Knorr's picture

Honoring the Trailblazing Judge Patricia Wald

February 22, 2019
When President Barack Obama awarded Judge Patricia Wald the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013, he summed up her career this way: “Patricia McGowan Wald made history as the first woman appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Rising to Chief Judge of...
Marian Wright Edelman's picture

Social Emotional Health and our Immigration Issues

February 12, 2019
My heart sinks every time I watch the news or read my Twitter feed. How did we get here? Our country has become so polarized when it pertains to our immigration system that we have lost the ability to feel empathy for those who seek assistance. As a mental health professional, I am alarmed that our...
Lina Acosta Sandaal's picture

Supporting New and Expectant Black Mothers

February 5, 2019
Pregnancy-related mortality and morbidity rates are on the rise in this country. Each year, 700 to 900 women die from pregnancy or childbirth-related causes in the U.S., and approximately 65,000 experience serious complications. For Black women, the statistics are even worse. Regardless of...
Alexis Anderson's picture

Should You Talk to Your Kids About What's Happening in the News?

January 28, 2019
Beyond sharing the who, what, where, and when, explain why something happened and how big of a deal it is. This provides context and perspective. Also, tell kids a bit about how media functions, so they appreciate the relationship among news outlets, sponsors, and viewership. Take care when...
Caroline Knorr's picture

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